Sunday, June 18, 2017

DESTINATION: Snoqualmie, Washington

Our next adventure in Washington State took us approximately 25 miles east of Seattle to the small town of Snoqualmie. Located in the heart of the Mountains to Sound Greenway, Snoqualmie is famous for the spectacular Snoqualmie Falls, a world renowned waterfall that cascades 268 feet over granite cliffs.

The Salish Lodge, formerly the Snoqualmie Lodge, greets visitors who come to view the falls. In 1988 the building was completely remodeled and reopened as the Salish Lodge. It is now proudly owned by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. You may recognize the Salish as the setting for the television series, Twin Peaks. If the lodge doesn't look familiar to you then perhaps the Twin Peaks sign, which rests outside Snoqualimie's city limits, will jog your memory.

Salish Lodge & Spa

Welcome to Twin Peaks Sign, SE Reinig Rd, Snoqualmie, WA

Snoqualmie Falls & Salish Lodge

Top of Snoqualmie Falls

Walking trails near the falls are beautiful

Wild flowers thrive in the spray from the falls

This sign got TK's attention!

Visitors to this small town enjoy the Historic District, the Northwest Railway Museum, unique shops, and more than 35 restaurants for all tastes.

Northwest Railroad Museum and Depot

People around Snoqualmie are apparently so familiar with big logs that they haven't bothered to identify the giant one parked just off the town's main drag. Is it a 12-foot-wide Western Red Cedar? A 15-foot-wide Sitka Spruce? It's sheltered beneath the Centennial Log Pavilion (erected in 1989) and so big that it extends over the edges of the railway flatcar that hauled it here. But the log is evidently on display not because of its impressive size, but because it's typical of the logs that were hauled through Snoqualmie on their way to the nearest sawmill.

Centennial Log

Recreation in Snoqualmie is abundant. There are more than 20 miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails with connections to regional trails; 39 city parks, including an off-leash dog park; 460 acres of open space at Meadowbrook Farm; fishing; kayaking; and even rally cars!